The Myth of the 4-Hour Work Week

15 Feb The Myth of the 4-Hour Work Week

“I’m a great believer in luck. The harder I work the more I have of it.”

~Thomas Jefferson

How many hours a week do you work? I bet it’s not four. Yeah me neither.

And I was talking to Tim Ferriss a couple weeks ago and I have news for you. Neither does he. He works 60+ hours (unless he’s launching a new best selling book in which case 60 is light).

So what on earth is all this talk about only working four hours in a week?

Everyone seems to complain to me about this whether it’s online or in person.

The thing is, I am one of the bigger Tim Ferriss fans out there. I work in an office of four close friends who all quit their jobs years ago in search of something more meaningful, after reading his book. None of us have looked back. The New Rich rarely do.

I give about ten or more copies of The 4-Hour Work Week out a year. So far my “quit rate” is about 80%. It’s that powerful.

I just picked the book back up, as I have every year since I first read it in 2007. Each year my new level of life and business experiences shed fresh light on the concepts that never quite resonated the year prior. I love it. (Being down in Argentina as I do this year’s review happens to be especially helpful.)

With that said, I am still the first to say that the idea of a four-hour work week is a myth. Yes a myth. As it should be.

You see, these people are missing the damn point.

The only reason he gave the book that title was because it got the most clicks in a google Adwords test (Tim’s an incessant tester). At first he was going to name it something like Dealing Drugs for Fun and Profit. So let’s get over the title.

We have to first understand what work is.

Work = anything that you either want to do less of or do solely for the financial benefit.

This is how Tim defines it and I’ve adopted the same.

Are you doing what you love?

This is what actually matters. Not some arbitrary number of hours spent in a day.

Are you doing work that matters? Are you doing work you actually care about?

If you aren’t then what on earth are you waiting for? When is now a good time to do what you love? There is no saving up so you’ll enjoy more later. That deferred life plan doesn’t fly. It’s just an excuse for inaction. An excuse to not get out there, take a risk and stumble upon your life’s work – You’re great work.

If your answer is Yes, then who cares how many hours your’re ‘working’? Jonathan Mead nails this in his Zero Hour Work Week. If you are living congruently, on purpose and with a boatload of passion for the dent you’re putting in the world then it doesn’t matter if you spend 4 hours a week or 80. In fact you’d probably prefer 80 over 4, if it’s that bad ass.

This is going to be a huge focus for me this year. For my writing, my coaching, this blog and beyond. There are few things more important than doing work that matters to you.

I ‘work’ my freaking ass off!!

And I love it. I could hardly sleep this morning because I couldn’t wait to spend time with one of my coaching clients, write this post, dig into a couple new investment ideas and meet with a few people in the space. I was up at 5am because all I could think about was ‘work’.

But I wasn’t anxious. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t dreading something – All emotions that come with doing things that don’t matter to you.

No. I was excited. Simple as that. And with excitement anything is possible and life becomes gravy.

That’s not to say that I am not up until midnight or later writing or that I’m not in a coffee shop on a Saturday or Sunday cranking on things. I often am. But I do it because it lights my life on fire (in a good way).

Oh and I’m also working when I’m out Crossfitting or running with friends, on a date with my wife or exploring a new part of the world. All of it gives me ideas and experiences to relate and share in the work I do. Life Entrepreneurship is just that. All encompassing.

You’ve heard me say it before…

Happiness not spent today does not equal more happiness tomorrow. There is no waiting.

Trust me. You can do what matters to you and get paid for it. I spend time with people in those shoes everyday (present company included).

But there is one requirement. And it’s a big one.

You have to care. You have to care more than anything in the world that leading a meaningful life is worth it. It takes work. It takes ridiculously hard work and long hours to never stop learning, to understand yourself so that you can get a clue as to why you’re on this earth. And it never ends. But you learn to love it. You get addicted to it.

You’re reason for being may be different today than it is in a year. In fact it probably will be. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is you’re doing your life’s work right now. Because that’s all there is anyway.

May we all be fortunate enough to ‘work’ 80 hours a week. Because when your projects become your passions, the concept of work fades away and all that’s left is life, which is all you started with in the first place.

So I challenge you…

Understand yourself.

Do work that matters.

Change the world.

What are you waiting for?

What do you do everyday that truly matters to you and the world? Tell us in the comments below and may we all be inspired to do more of the same!

Do you know someone who needs a push to do work they love? Please email this to two people and share it once on twitter below. The world needs it.

517 Comments

Scott, this is one of your best posts since it shows some tenacity to disagree and use some titles to draw attention. I think it will be one that will draw a lot of interest, sharing, and backlinks in your future blogs.

“but you have to be willing to work very hard for it” could have been a great subtitle for the Four Hour Work Week. But then maybe the sales wouldn’t have been that good.
It is quite a funny contradiction (to me) that you need to be passioned about something if you want to make a business out of it, so you can generate a passive income so you can stop doing what you’re passioned about.
But still I believe that what Tim says is true and that in theory you could build a passive income system so you only have to work 4 hours a week. The only question is why would you stop doing what you love to do.

I’m replying here to you Nicolas, because you said everything I was thinking! Particularly your last line, “why would you stop doing what you love to do.” I can’t imagine “retiring” from what I do now. Why would I want to stop?

Tom

So now he has run off with all the easy book sales with a book that is just another copy of every “passion” fluff book you are defending him so as to support your own delusions, you and everyone who supports him should get mental health help.

Kevin

Ivan Sol

Even for a so called non partisan who browsed the 4HWW, I instantly found some useful ideas and tips to improve my life. I just can’t fathom why people have to hate and diss – he actually wrote a book to propagate his ideas and share ways to improve lives. What have you lot achieved by coming here and also nit picking and criticising(instead of being) critical and discerning of a great post that Scott has put up.

Just to tell you Scott, I stumbled upon this website in between my Pol Philosophy essay – needed a bout of inspiration –
I love it, I’m deleting a whole series of useless bookmarks and you’ve made it to my top 20 although I’ve only been here for maybe 10 Minutes or so – I read 2 pieces, the one with Warren Buffett and the mini review of the 4hWW and enjoyed it

I just wanted to say that I love this post. I’m a graduate student dreaming of a PhD and while the “work” I do researching, writing, revising, teaching, and commenting on student work are certainly challenging, they also make up some of the most rewarding parts of my life. The unfortunate truth is that it isn’t everyone who can do what they love…your post made me think of this quote, so I thought I’d share it…

“…what you think of and plan for day by day, in spite of yourself, so to speak–you will get. You will get it more or less. That is, unless you are one of the people who get nothing in this world. There are such people. I have lived too much in mining works and construction camps not to know that.” He paused as if, though this was too dark a chapter to be gone into, it must have its place, its moment of silent recognition. “If you are not one of those, Constance and Niel, you will accomplish what you dream of most.” -Captain Forrester, from Willa Cather’s A Lost Lady

Thanks for that Jonah. The key is to always be doing or working towards doing something you love and that leverages your unique strengths. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE will make the world better if they focus their energy here. It doesn’t have to mean quitting your job either. Just a small shift can move mountains.

In order for us to pursue our passions and live with purpose and impact, we need to work and work really hard in order for things to happen. Also, I believe that when we engage in work that is meaningful and fulfilling, we will be passionate and resonant when we are at it. However, the converse is true. If we find no connection or purpose in our work, then it will be seen as drudgery and even miserable.

Right on Dominic. I am still searching for the right word to describe this 80 hour “work week” that happens when someone is doing exactly what they are meant to be doing and loving it. Does anyone have any suggestions? It’s such an important concept for us all to nail!

Catherine McLennan

Scott,
Perhaps the word you are looking for is ‘dharma’? I take ‘living your dharma’ to mean that you are living and breathing your life purpose and as a result you are in alignment. As you said this infuses every aspect of your life, so perhaps the word ‘work’ is becoming less useful because of all the old hang ups about the term.
Ps thank you for this website, it’s amazing, I’m just about to start doing the online tool kit, very excited.

I don’t believe that hard work is what makes you successful. What makes you successful is Love – but it gets mistaken for hard work way too often.

How do you tell the difference?

Hard work: Throughout your days, you keep trying hard to overcome your unwillingness, and force yourself to do all those things you’d better not be doing.

Love: A few times a day, you unwillingly admit that your body does need a rest – and you are forced to interrupt whatever you are doing.

While I’m not a religious person, there’s a Bible quote that comes to my mind whenever I think of this. It says that Jacob served for Rachel for seven years, but to him they felt like just a few days – because he loved her. (Genesis 29:20)

BTW, Scott, I loved your article. I wasn’t aware of your blog, but now I’m a fan.

We all need to remember that work is only ONE area of our life… and if we just work for works sake then eventually all work will suck the life out of you. Ferris said what a lot of people were already thinking… my life sucks! How can I design a better life with minimal work… i.e. to focus on a happier lifestyle not just a work-style.

That’s what I’ve done since 2007… I’m far from having the perfect lifetyle… but I sure as hell enjoy my life more and am making more $$$ per hour as a direct result of focusing on what’s important.

I couldn’t agree with you more, I work 60- 80+ hours a week, and I still get time to workout, spend time with my family and quality time with my wife. I love what I do, and I am the best at it (just being honest), because I action 20% of my time, learning new areas within my line of work, practicing new improved methods and teaching others to do just what I do.

I truly believe this is the way forward, my philosophy is, “not try and see the people you admire, act in such a way, that they would want to see you, includes my own self”

Great post. I just heard your interview with Leo Babauta, and was browsing your site.

I have 3 questions I ask my therapy clients, and I posted about it on my practicesuccesstools.com blog. First, what would you do if you won the lottery? Second, what would change if you knew you had only 10 years left to live? Finally, if you found out you had 24 hours left to live, what would you feel you had missed?

Those questions clarify what happens if we aren’t worried about making more money, and what we really care about when money is no longer going to make a difference. Hopefully, we are working on shaping our lives to get closer and closer to our answers to those questions.

(And I’m really glad to hear that Tim Ferriss doesn’t manage to do all he does in 4 hours — sometimes, I’m just too literal for my own good!)

and as for the 4hww: if you are doing “work” that you love or that is your passion then it doesn’t seem like work. However, there may be some things that you have to do, the stuff that’s a pain in the butt but it supports what you are doing. Maybe that’s the stuff that you reduce to four hours or less.
What are you waiting for?

I like what T. Harv Eker and Bob Proctor say about work, “If you do what you love, it’s not work.” I love writing and today I have an interview with an animal hospital. I love animals and enjoyed volunteering at The Arizona Humane Society. My plan is to create a not-for-profit for animals and one for children. Will it be a lot of work? Yes, it will. But I’ll love what I’m doing so it will be fun.

Fantastic post, Scott. I remember soon after I launched my own business in 2005, having a conversation with a friend (himself an entrepreneur) and saying “there ought to be a different word for work when it’s something of your own choosing.” At that point, it ceases to be *work* altogether, doesn’t it?

Mitch

I liked your comments on the book. I always tell people that I am going to retire at the end of this year, on my terms. This basically means I do what I love and which inspires me and I only deal with people I like. I do not want to do stuff I don’t like and deal with people I do not like simply to pay my bill at the end of the month. If you do this, the 4 hours of “work” may end up being some administrative stuff for your life (tax returns, make sure the bills get paid, buying stuff you need etc.), which were never considered as work in the beginning. You probably also start liking this “work”!

So stoked for what you have ahead this year. What a year! I am here to help in whatever capacity I can. Keep me posted. This is my favorite topic to crank through with my coaching clients. So invigorating!

~R

Wow! I just discovered this blog and am loving it. You had me hooked in the first para..

I read 4hWW a couple years ago. Liked it but thought it had many impractical tips. Having read this blog, it seems like you all knew that already.

I’m a firm believer that big impact come from making small (but important) changes.. Like working on yourself and making it a lifelong pursuit 🙂 Tomorrow is my last day at work. I’m quitting to start a food truck in Washington DC. Woohoo!

Just found your site through google and I really enjoyed reading this article of yours. Personally I wouldn’t mind being able to come up with something that creates a constant stream of income (not necessarily great riches) and then allows me to focus on making the most out of life, whatever that means in the end for each and everyone.

Fab

I read that book ( the first version ) by Tim Ferriss and I liked it very much but it has been written by a sort of Superman and so in some parts it’s a bit unrealistic!!

Anyway, in my opinion it doesn’t matter if you work 4 hours a week, 40 hours a week or 80 hours a week because the real point of the issue is the definition of success and the best I’ve found till now is:

“What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do”
by Bob Dylan

Soul Patch

Just to tell you Scott, I stumbled upon this website in between my Pol Philosophy essay – needed a bout of inspiration and something different. I feel like an undiagnosed ADHD young adult stuck in a kid’s body often times running off and just exploring a new topic at random. Often felt guilty and unfocussed but now I realise its a blessing as much as a lil curse or positive distraction 😀
I love your site, I’m deleting a whole series of useless bookmarks and you’ve made it to my top 20 although I’ve only been here for maybe 10 Minutes or so – I read 2 pieces, the one with Warren Buffett and the mini review of the 4hWW and enjoyed it

Bryan Williams

Interesting post. I too have read Tim’s book/s multiple times. The message being delivered does change as one develops and changes views. I myself write this from Colombia on an extended mini retirement/further education. I am spending time whilst also seeing Latin America doing some education on the same points that Tim, yourself and others make. People like Michael Ellsberg make a valid point regarding the misuse of higher education. I myself a veteran of a misguided pointless degree, fully support your message on doing what excites you, such a better way to live! keep it coming. the word needs to spread.

Nice post. I recently wrote about how I only work for four hours a week, just like the famous book, and still manage a good business. You can actually read about it here if you’re interested – http://bit.ly/11bbtgM

Nice post Dylan. I’m slightly biased though as my company, dailyPA
provides virtual personal
assistants to small & medium sized companies, as well as busy
individuals. Money is obviously very important, but time is the single most
valuable resource any of us have. We should use it wisely & it seems like you do.

jsy

As dumb a limited perspective quote as one could ever wish to find. It is saddening to see how many people quote something without thinking through the implications. Just because it sounds so cool. Suppose all someone likes to do is read? Hard to feed a family on that. Or loves cooking, not running an eatery, just cooking. Not going to be able to buy many ingredients that way.
Money is necessary and sometimes in this world doing what you love just won’t pay the bills. So somebody has to do what they don’t love to provide for those they do. How many people do you think like working in a rubber plant? But I’ll bet we all want tires on our cars.

Raj

What I want most in my life is to be able to speak to a group of people confidently. But I am scared to death to speak in front of people and I avoid most of the situation where I have to be in front of a group. Does it mean I have to give up my dream? Can anyone help?

Don’t ever give up on your dream …. Never! You can do it. Just today I read that up to 75% of all people are afraid of public speaking. I couldn’t stay if it is that high or not, but you’re definitely not alone. Search the internet and you’ll find tons of articles to help you overcome this irrational fear In the end, that’s all it is. It’s just like someone who is irrationally afraid of harmless spiders. Trust me, I’m not judging you though. I’ve been afraid of speaking too long as well. If there are any Toastmasters meetings near you, start attending those. The only way you’ll overcome the fear is by doing and gaining more confidence.

Michael

Raj

I just hope in some small way it inspires you to take action on your dreams. Don’t live a life of regret. I started my first toastmasters meeting today. Wouldn’t you know it, they called on me to give an impromptu speech. It was bad and I felt some embarrassment, but who cares. I learned from the experience and I know that I will get better and more comfortable in time.

LifestyleOutlaws

So many people get hung up on the title of the book and think that a 4HWW means you spend the rest of your time sitting next to the pool sipping margaritas. More people need to understand the distinction between “work for works sake” and work you love to do.

All we can do is educate people one person at a time… to show them that freedom is within their grasp.

Ahmed

Its very nice post. but I want to know the risk of doing what you love for living or better! it seems to me too risky and dont keep you feel stable which is a very important state of well being and health.
and can you give me brief ideas about making living from what I love?

[…] “May we all be fortunate enough to ‘work’ 80 hours a week. Because when your projects become your passions, the concept of work fades away and all that’s left is life, which is all you started with in the first place.” – Scott Dinsmore (Do check this article out: The Myth of the 4-Hour Work Week) […]

James Boyle

Good and interesting post Scott but I think it should be noted that it is possible to have some businesses which only require 4,5,6 hours a week from the owner mainly online businesses. I agree that ferriss created the title to basically sell a shed load of books and I do not believe it applies to all types of business, I believe Tim works some 60 hour weeks and some 4 hour weeks but as you say it all comes down to what your definition of work is. The book is aimed at people who hate their job and want to start their own business to create the lifestyle they want but I agree with you, if you love what you do then its not really work as per our definition, ever hear tv and radio people say that what they do isn’t work, a comedian can easily work a 4 hour week. However regarding ferriss, if he was still running his sports supplement business he would still be working a 4 hour week because he outsourced and automated the business however he did that so he could travel and write a best seller which now has him working 60 hour weeks because that’s what he wanted to create and to him that is not work because its what he wanted to do. I think our definition of work is doing something we hate for someone else for money.

Thanks on your marvelous posting! I actujally enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon.
I want to encourage one to continue your great posts, have a nihe evening!

Yadgyu

I guess the main problem I have with the “do what you love” and “follow your passion” speeches is that I think doing these things are only temporary solutions. I find that the people that actually follow their passions end up stuck on doing the grunt work and are underpaid. Also, most people get bored after years of practicing their “passion”.

A person probably will have to get used to doing a lot of things over one’s lifetime. There is really no one true love that keeps a person going. Passion waxes and wanes. Besides, many people that quit their jobs to follow their dreams usually end up broke.

Welcome to fake oakleys store online!Our company supply the [url=http://www.pinterest.com/fakeoakleys2/fake-oakleys-gascan-1288] foakleys [url=http://www.pinterest.com/fakeoakleys2/fake-oakleys-gascan-1288]fake oakleys.Our company is the biggest fake oakleys supplier.
You will get the high quality and the cheapest iphone samsung cases in our company.
We’re honoring Stephen with a special edition of cheap oakleys wholesale, a work of aggressive styling worthy of a warrior who knows no white flag.[url=http://www.pinterest.com/fakeoakleys2/fake-oakleys-gascan-1288]knockoff oakleys. UK lions on the metal icons, and the graphics along the sides are styled from the inked emblem of courageous strength on Stephen’s skin.
foakleys is the most famous sport sunglasses in the world, many people buy it in the summer,
the sunglasses can protect they eyes from the sun.
.[url=http://www.pinterest.com/emilybeautys/foakleys]foakleys.
.[url=http://imgfave.com/foakleys2013] foakleys.
our company shipped the sunglasses to all over the world.

Hoping you are thriving! We have a lot in common! Having joined the New Rich I can say it is a life like no other: Permission, risk and the love of testing and failure. However, it has lead to a lifestyle and brand(s) that have equaled impact and significance.

I just wanted to encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing and keep moving forward. There is no greater feeling than waking up knowing who we are, what we are to do and how we are to do it. Appreciate all you’re doing!

You know I almost put down the book 4hww, until I read your blog. (I’m so glad I didn’t!) but that was my principle concern- I am always passionate about the work projects I am doing, I don’t want to take off a month to learn to tango. Now I get it, thank you for clarifying!! It’s all about finding the kind of work you love, but also building in flexibility & automation.

jay

I think people are missing the point. Commonly, we define “work” as that which we do not want to do. A four hour work week isnt about getting rich quick for no effort, or having to abandon what we love as a result of being successful; it’s about pairing down those aspects of what we have to do to only 4 hours a week.

Ever since I’ve heard of Scott’s recent passing, I’ve been reflecting on his life’s work. I didn’t quite realize until now how tremendous his impact is. His mission still continues to grow after his death, and I feel more empowered by than ever before.

I know that Scott looked up to Tim Ferriss (also a very genuine person – I had the opportunity to talk to him briefly a few years ago at Samovar Tea Lounge in SF)… He was able to connect with Tim through his friend Leo Babauta, who just wrote a blog post about Scott – http://zenhabits.net/scott/

In fact, I would imagine that the sabbatical Scott took with his wife was largely inspired by Tim’s teachings and blog posts. Despite the fact that he died on that journey, I believe he made the right decision in going on that trip. I think it was his last blog post where he mentioned that it would’ve been a tragedy if he wouldn’t be able to take that sabbatical. It’s ironic, but I must agree with him.

Thank you for your contributions, Scott – your legend continues to live and and thrive…
Your existence has taken on a new dimension and you’ll always be in our hearts!

P.S.: Sorry, I forgot to actually comment on this blog post 🙂
I just wanted to add that the title of T4HWW is not purely based on the highest click-through-rate (though that played an important role and is a concept mentioned in the book).
In my opinion, the title is a pretty clever metaphor that alludes to the widespread 40-hour workweek, or 9-5 lifestyle. Essentially, the 4HWW is a guide to increasing your productivity 10x, so 40/10=4.
And there actually are real-life examples in the book that demonstrate that literally working 4 hours or less per week is indeed possible.
However, Tim often points out in interviews that he has never promoted sloth and has always lived an exceptionally active lifestyle. The way one utilizes this increased productivity or spends one’s time is up to the reader, so theoretically it could also mean spending 80 hours a week getting up to 10 times more done.
At the end of the day, the idea is that spending the majority of your time is doing something that is fulfilling, meaningful, or exciting as opposed to engaging in soul-sucking labor 90% of the time.

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated information, nonetheless seriously really worth taking a look, whoa did one particular find out about Mid East has got more problerms too […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated information, nevertheless really really worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular master about Mid East has got extra problerms as well […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated information, nonetheless actually really worth taking a search, whoa did a single understand about Mid East has got extra problerms too […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nevertheless seriously really worth taking a search, whoa did 1 study about Mid East has got far more problerms also […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nonetheless genuinely really worth taking a search, whoa did one understand about Mid East has got extra problerms too […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated information, nonetheless definitely worth taking a appear, whoa did a single study about Mid East has got far more problerms at the same time […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nevertheless seriously really worth taking a search, whoa did 1 master about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine some unrelated information, nonetheless truly really worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular study about Mid East has got extra problerms as well […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nevertheless definitely worth taking a search, whoa did one particular find out about Mid East has got far more problerms at the same time […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated information, nonetheless genuinely really worth taking a search, whoa did a single discover about Mid East has got much more problerms too […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated information, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did a single discover about Mid East has got far more problerms at the same time […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated information, nevertheless truly really worth taking a look, whoa did one discover about Mid East has got a lot more problerms also […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine some unrelated information, nonetheless genuinely really worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular understand about Mid East has got far more problerms too […]

We specialize in the maintenance and installation of modern heating and cooling systems

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated information, nevertheless genuinely really worth taking a appear, whoa did 1 find out about Mid East has got much more problerms at the same time […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine several unrelated data, nonetheless definitely worth taking a search, whoa did one particular understand about Mid East has got extra problerms at the same time […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated information, nonetheless seriously really worth taking a appear, whoa did a single find out about Mid East has got extra problerms also […]

[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated information, nonetheless seriously worth taking a search, whoa did one understand about Mid East has got additional problerms too […]

[…] might help to know that Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week, typically works 60 hours a week or more, articles in Harvard Business Review like "The Data-Driven Case for Vacation" are funded […]